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The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)

VTOS is a second chance education initiative designed specifically for the unemployed. It is funded by the Department of Education and Skills and operated by 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs), which replaced the previous 33 vocational education committees (VECs).

To be eligible to participate on a VTOS you must be:

aged 21 or over and

In receipt of Jobseeker’s Benefit/Jobseeker’s Allowance, Illness Benefit (subject to the approval of the Department of Social Protection) One Parent Family Payment, Invalidity Pension or Disability Allowance for 6 months

Signing for PRSI ‘Credits’ for at least 6 months

The spouse/partner of somebody claiming one of these payments for 6 months

People in receipt of Carer’s Allowance who have ceased caring responsibilities

Time spent on a SOLAS training course or CE scheme can count towards the six-month qualifying period. Periods spent on Job Initiative, Youthreach programmes or time spent in prison can count towards this six-month qualifying period, but a person must be getting one of the relevant Social Welfare payments before starting the programme

People in receipt of the following categories of payments are also eligible to join VTOS provided they are at least 21 years of age and have not been engaged in paid work for at least six months: One Parent Family Payment, Blind Person’s Pension; Deserted Wife’s Allowance / Benefit; Widow / Widower’s Contributory / Non-Contributory Pension; Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance.

If you receive a rent/mortgage interest supplement and take up part-time work while on VTOS, Rent Supplement Assessment rules will apply, i.e. disregard the first €75 of income from employment and then disregard 25% of theremaining balance. Any income left after this 25% disregard is counted against your rent/mortgage interest supplement – See Chapter 2 for details.

NOTE

If you receive the additional allowance of €20.00 on VTOS and take up part-time work, the rent/mortgage interest supplement earnings disregard of €75.00 will be reduced from €75.00 to €55.00

The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) was last modified: June 29th, 2017 by admin